Cancer is a deadly disease in the U.S., and it's important to know its Signs And Symptoms. Some symptoms might signal a disease, illness or injury and may not necessarily mean you have cancer according to the American Cancer Society. However, reporting even a single symptom or sign can help to determine if you have cancer. Below are some signs or symptoms of the disease.
Between period bleeding affecting women
When you bleed outside your normal monthly cycle, it means you are suffering from something. Bleeding after menopause is unusual too, so you should be checked right away.
WebMD notes that your doctor will probably want to run tests to rule out that you have cancer of the uterus, also known as endometrial cancer.
Urinary changes affecting men
Urinary changes develop as you get older. However, some symptoms may indicate that you are suffering from prostate cancer, a common type of cancer in men in their sixties or older. These symptoms include delayed urination, incontinence, urinary leaks, straining during urination, and an inability to urinate. While these symptoms might indicate other ailments, Healthline recommends that they are addressed by a visit to a medical professional.
Bloating for women
It's natural for women to bloat and its ok to wait for a week or two to see if it will go away, as stated by Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU Langone Medical Center.
If the issue doesn’t cease, or happens with bleeding or weight loss, consult a doctor immediately. Sometimes, constant bloating might mean you have ovarian cancer. The doctor will do a pelvic exam and blood tests to find what is causing the bloating. Sometimes you will be required to do an ultrasound, or even a biopsy to determine what the problem might be.
Testicular lumps
Prostate, lung, and colon cancers are more common in men than cancer of the testicles, but that does not mean you should ignore the symptoms. Lumps in the testicles can symptoms of testicular cancer. The doctor will want to see if you have those lumps during wellness checks but for extra safety, you should also check yourself at least once a month.
Cancer.org recommend that it is best not to wait and to get medically checked out, just in case it is not a symptom of a milder illness.
Fever
This is common in men and women suffering from cancer, but it mostly shows after cancer has spread from where it started. Most people will suffer from some type of fever in their lives, but it can present itself in cancer patients. Cancer patients may suffer from immune problems so the body may be less able to fight infections. The Cancer Association points out that in some instances, fever can be an early sign of the disease, especially blood cancers.
Unexplained weight loss
Most cancer patients lose weight at some point. Unexplained weight loss can be a cause for concern and can sometimes be the first time that you becomes aware that something might be wrong.
Medicine Net points out that such weight loss can be symptomatic of other illness such as depression, "bowel diseases, and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)." However, as it can be a sign of cancer, it is wise to consult a medical professional.
There are more signs of potential cancer which include fatigue, pain, and blood in the urine. It’s is one of the most common causes of death of Americans even though these days people are more conscious about keeping to a healthy diet to lower the risks of contracting the disease. Even so, sometimes genetics can lead to some people being more susceptible than others. The disease is hard to treat so the sooner treatment begins, the better.
Disclaimer -- This article is not intended for personal diagnosis and it is important to understand that any signs and symptoms in this article do not necessarily mean that you have cancer. It is recommended that you visit a medical professional if you notice these symptoms.